The Aeneid

Book: The Aeneid

Genre: Poem

Language: Latin

Author: Virgil (Publius Vergilius Maro) 70 -19 BC

     Virgil is considered as one of the Rome's greatest poets. His works have influenced Western literature in all times. To know about Virgil’s greatness, the ‘Sortes Virgiliance’ is the best example, it’s the form of bibliomancy (Predicting the future using any of the holy books). Romans used Aeneid for bibliomancy; they will randomly open the Aeneid and read few lines from the opened page then used it for predicting the future.

About The Book:

     The Aeneid can be considered as the Roman Epic, which had followed the literary model of Homer's epic poems Iliad and Odyssey. The epic poem consists of 12 books in hexameter verse the first six books were viewed as employing the Odyssey as a model while the last six were connected to the Iliad. The Aeneid is widely considered Virgil's finest work and one of the most important poems in the history of western literature. The Vedas, Ramayana and Mahabaharatha for Indians, Homer’s epics for Greeks, Bible for Christians and Aeneid for Romans this statement is enough to understand the importance of Aeneid. Aeneid was not completed by the time of Virgil's death. Augustus instructed Plotius Tucca and Varius Rufus to complete the Aeneid (It’s believed that Virgil wanted to burn the Aeneid).

       Aeneid is a story of a journey of Aeneas from Troy to Rome (Italy-Latinus), the poem describes about the struggles he face to find Rome. After the Trojan war Aeneas is escaping from the Troy in a ship with a group of Trojans to accomplish his prophetic duty to found Rome and establish the new imperial dynasty. Aeneas represents the Roman emperor Augustus  in many ways who re-created the new Roman Empire. We can see the Virgil’s thoughts about the qualities of a national leader in his hero Aeneas. Aeneas is a hero who is committed to complete his duties, for this he is ready to sacrifice anything (We can see a lot of such situations in the poem). Another highlight of the poem is Virgil’s description about the Underworld which shows the exceptional imagination and poetic signature of Virgil.

Summary:

      After the Trojan War Aeneas escapes from the Troy in a ship with a group of Trojans, In the journey they face lot of problems caused by goddess Juno and Cyclops (Refer- Odyssey) and other fancy creatures, finally they reaches Cartage. Cartage was ruled by the queen Dido and eventually she fell in love with Aeneas. But Aeneas reminded of his prophetic duty and forced to leave Dido and continued his journey. Aeneas reached Cumaean shore and found the Sybil with the help of her he travelled to the Underworld. Finally he reached the Latinus where he gets into a war with Turnus and defeats him and establish the Roman empire.

      Aeneid is a book you must read if you love classics/epics. You can read the English translation by John Dryden here. MIT The Internet classics archive